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AN 

HISTORICAL  SKETCH 

OF 

ST.  PAUL'S  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN 
CONGREGATION, 

WILMINGTON,  N.  C. 


BY 

PASTOR  W.  A.  SNYDER 
ASSISTED  BY 
MR,  G.  J.  SCHULTZ. 


PUBLISHED  BY 

THE  FIFTIETH  ANNIVERSARY  COMMITTEE 

PASTOR  W.  A.  SNYDER. 
L.  HANSON.    ----      JOHN  HAAR, 
W.  NEISTLIE,       -      -       -      J.  D.  H.  KLANDER. 


St.  Paul's 


Evangelical  Lutheran  Church, 

Wilmington,  N.  C. 


Can  you  imagine  yourself  in  Wilmington, 
kind  reader,  on  the  31st  day  of  May  in  the 
year  1858  ?  Let  us  wend  our  way  down  South 
Front  street  to  the  old  Presbyterian  Church, 
where  men  and  women  are  assembling  to  or- 
ganize a  Lutheran  congregation,  and  quietly 
take  a  rear  seat.  As  we  look  over  the  little 
company,  we  recognize  many  whose  residence 
in  the  city  has  been  of  several  years'  dura- 
tion, others  who  have  but  recently  arrived. 
Evidently  all  of  them  long  to  possess  a  church 
in  which  the  pure  doctrine  of  God's  Word  may 
be  proclaimed  and  now  their  longing  is  to  ap- 
proach realization.  Two  pastors  of  the  North 
Carolina  Synod,  the  Revs.  J.  Linn  and  G.  D. 
Bernheim,  arrived  in  the  city  a  few  days  ago 
as  a  committee  of  visitation.  They  have  vis- 
ited the  Lutherans  and  conducted  a  service 
for  them  and  now,  with  the  echoes  of  that 
service  still  ringing  in  their  ears,  they  have 
come  prepared  to  organize  a  Lutheran  con- 
gregation. 

3 


Silence  falls  on  the  little  assembly  as  the 
meeting  is  opened  with  a  devout  prayer  in  the 
name  of  Jesus.  All  feel  the  presence  of 
the  Lord  and  the  certainty  of  His  promise  to 
guide  and  counsel  His  own  in  all  their  ways. 
The  prayer  ended,  the  purpose  of  the  meet- 
ing is  stated  in  clear  and  convincing  manner. 
When  at  length  the  question  is  asked,  "How 
many  of  you  are  now  ready  to  organize  and 
support  a  Lutheran  congregation  ?  - '  they  rise 
one  by  one  and  place  their  names  on  record. 
Fifty-eight  names  are  enrolled.  How  mani- 
fest the  interest  and  enthusiasm  of  these  fifty- 
eight  !  They  decide  to  seek  a  suitable  lot,  to 
build  a  church  thereon  and  to  call  a  pastor  as 
soon  as  possible. 

Thus  the  first  city  missionary  enterprise  of 
the  North  Carolina  Synod  came  into  being  and 
the  foundation  of  the  St.  PauPs  of  to-day  was 
laid.  Fifty  years  have  passed  since  that  day 
and  now  as  a  result  of  those  resolutions  a  large 
congregation  assembles  in  a  beautiful  build- 
ing. ~  Let  us  retain  and  cherish  the  mental 
picture  of  that  first  meeting.  Let  us  be  grate- 
ful to  God  for  the  noble  purpose  He  gave  those 
men  and  women  and  for  the  manifold  blessings 
He  bestowed  upon  their  labors.  In  order  that 
the  present  generation  may  not  be  ignorant 
of  the  annals  of  St.  Paul's,  we  venture  upon 
a  chronicle  of  its  career. 

To  God  alone  be  all  glory  ! 

4 


The  Rev.  John  H.  Menyert. 


THE  FIRST  PASTORATE. 


Several  months  elapsed  between  the  first 
and  second  congregational  meeting.  During 
these  months  the  newly-organized  congrega- 
tion sought  a  spiritual  shepherd  with  ability 
to  preach  both  in  the  German  and  English 
languages.  Aided  by  the  President  of  the 
Synod's  Missionary  Society  such  a  man  was 
found  in  Evansville,  Indiana.  A  call  was  ex- 
tended to  the  Rev.  John  H.  Mengert,  who  had 
labored  with  signal  success  both  in  the  mission 
field  of  India  and  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  Md. 
His  portrait  depicts  a  man  of  refinement  and 
piety,  and  withal  a  man  of  scholarly  instincts, 
well  adapted  to  the  requirements  of  a  city 
congregation.  Accepting  the  call,  Pastor  Men- 
gert and  his  family  reached  the  city  on  the 
23rd  of  December,  1858. 

On  Epiphany  (Jan.  6th),  1859,  we  see  the 
fifty-eight  again  assembled  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  Under  the  leadership  of  their  pas- 
tor the  congregation  now  assumes  a  more 
definite  form  by  electing  a  Church  Council,  the 
first  council  of  the  church.  The  names  of 
these  men  are  "worthy  of  record  : 

Trustees  -  Messrs.  J.  G.  Bauman,  H.  B. 
Eilers,  H.  VonGlahn,  E.  Schulken,  C.  H.  Vol- 
lers,  H.  Vollers. 

Elders— Messrs.  N.  Bremer,  A.  Adrian. 

Deacons— Messrs.  W.  Knohl,  H.  Rehder. 


Most  of  these  men  were  connected  with  the 
work  of  St.  Paul's  for  many  years  thereafter, 
their  leadership  and  labors  contributing  large- 
ly under  the  blessing  of  God  to  the  success  of 
the  congregation.  Mr.  H.  Vollers,  elected 
Secretary  of  the  congregation  at  the  first  meet- 
ing, remained  in  that  office  until  1895.  The 
minutes,  recorded  in  German  until  1873  and 
thereafter  in  English,  display  the  most  pains- 
taking care  and  accuracy.  The  names  of 
Messrs.  H.  B.  Eilers,  A.  Adrian,  N.  Bremer 
and  E.  Schulken  constantly  recur  in  the  an- 
nals of  the  church  in  connection  with  earnest 
service;  the  first  named  served  for  a  long  pe- 
riod as  president  of  the  council.  Mr.  H.  Render 
is  the  only  surviving  member  of  the  first  coun- 
cil, having  been  spared  to  witness  the  fiftieth 
^anniversary  of  the  church's  organization. 
During  the  half  century  just  closed  he  has 
served  his  congregation  in  many  offices  with 
fidelity.  Mr.  W.  Knohl  was  the  first  presi- 
dent and  Mr.  J.  G.  Bauman  the  first  treasurer 
elected. 

It  was  ascertained  that  the  session  house  of 
St.  James  Protestant  Episcopal  congregation 
might  be  secured  for  Sunday  services  and  the 
trustees  were  authorized  to  rent  and  place  it 
into  proper  condition,  so  that  the  congrega- 
tion might  have  a  home  until  their  own  church 
could  be  erected.  Eere  long  a  suitable  lot  was 
offered  for  sale,  situated  on  Market  street, 

7 


near  the  corner  of  Sixth,  running  through  to 
Princess  street.  This  was  purchased  for  $3,000 
from  Mr.  John  A.  Taylor,  the  owner  contribut- 
ing $500  of  the  purchase  money  towards  the 
erection  of  the  church  building.  In  1860  an- 
other lot  at  the  corner  of  Sixth  street,  run- 
ning parallel  to  the  first  lot,  was  secured 
for  $2,700  and  thus  the  entire  property,  now 
the  pride  of  the  congregation  and  the  city 
came  into  rur  possession. 

Under  the  supervision  of  the  pastor,  a  com- 
mittee framed  a  constitution  for  the  congre- 
gation, which  was  adopted  March  27th,  1859, 
the  signatures  of  seventy-two  persons  being 
affixed  thereto.  We  may  therefore  regard 
these  seventy-two  persons  as  the  charter  mem- 
bers of  the  congregation,  and  we  record  them 
as  they  appear  in  the  minutes  : 

THE  CHARTER  MEMBERS. 


Rev.  John  H.  Mengert, 
Mrs.  John  H.  Mengert, 
H.  B.  Eilers  and  wife, 
C.  Turner, 
Elise  Turner, 
Catharine  Ebbender. 
Therese  Klary, 
Helene  Vatthauer, 
Margarethe  Schulken, 
Engelhard  Schulken, 
Emilie  Polyogt, 
C,  Polvog  t, 
L.  Vollers, 


Johanne  Kordlander, 
C  VonGiahn, 
J.  VonGlahn, 
John  M.  Bremer, 
Anne  Hons, 
Louise  Doscher, 
Ferdinand  Eyden, 
Carsten  H.  Vollers, 
Mrs.  Carsten  H.  Vollers, 

D.  Cortjohann  and  wife, 
Henrich  Markman,  v 
J.  C.  Litjen, 

E.  T.  Suden  and  wife, 


8 


L.  C.  Turner, 

Friedrich  Henning", 

H.  Vollers  and  wife, 

R.  Eckel, 

A.  Henze, 

J.  C.  Koch, 

B.  Schulken, 

O.Stemmerman  andwTife, 

H.  Rathjen, 

Hinrich  Haar, 

J.  G.  Bauman, 

Heinrich  Heissenbuttel, 

W.  Ulrich. 

A.  W.  Thies, 

K.  H.  Genzer, 

N.  Gerken  and  wife, 

N  Bremer  and  wife, 

H.  G.  Hashag-en, 

C.  Bonck, 

R.  Turner, 

A.  Adrian, 

John  Von  der  Lieth, 

H.  Render, 

Mrs.  John  Von  der  Lieth, 

W.  Knohl  and  wife, 

A.  Mindel, 

H.  VonGlahn, 

Caroline  Wilkens, 

W.  Rung-e, 

B.  Mehrtens, 

Johanne  Rung-e, 

G.  Steenken  and  wife, 

Doris  Mug-g-e, 

John  Hespe  and  wife, 

H.  Kordlander, 

Georg-e  Hespe. 

God  has  spared  the  lives  of  eight  of  the 
seventy-two,  six  of  them  having  remained 
members  of  St.  Paul's  to  this  day.  The  re- 
cord book  shows  the  following  entries  :  First 
baptism,  Helena  Margarethe,  daughter  of 
Johann  and  Catharina  Von  der  Lieth;  first 
marriage,  Gerhard  F.  Hespe  and  Ann  C.  Huns; 
first  burial,  M  atthias  Bremer  (age  16  months). 

In  the  record  of  Pastor  Mengert  we  find  the 
congregation  consisting  of  the  following  per- 
sons during  his  pastorate  (1858  to  1861) : 


Rev.  J.  H.  Mengert, 
Mrs.  J.  H.  Mengert, 
G.  H.  W.  Rung-e, 
Mrs.  Johanne  Runge, 
E.  Schulken, 


Joseph  Stadtler, 
Mrs.  A.  Stadtler, 
John  W.  Strauss, 
Mrs.  Mary  S.  Strauss, 
H.  G.  Hashagen, 


9 


Mrs.  Margaret  Schulken, 

Mrs.  Anna  Hashag"en, 

C.  Polvoot, 

J.  F.  Rulfs, 

Mrs.  C.  Polvogt, 

Mrs.  Catharine  Rulfs, 

G.  P.  Hespe, 

Dietrich  Cortjohann, 

Mrs.  Anna  Plespe, 

Mrs.  Maria  Cortjohann, 

Miss  Eliza  Turner, 

H.  Kortlander, 

H.  Vollers, 

Mrs.  J.  L.  Kortlander, 

Mrs.  Eliza  Vollers, 

E.  T.  Suden, 

Dietrich  Hackemann, 

Mrs.  E.  T.  Suden, 

Henry  Ohlandt, 

C.  Stemmermann, 

N.  Bremer, 

Mrs.  A.  M.  Stemmermann 

Mrs.  Helena  Bremer, 

Alex.  Holthusen, 

R.  Turner, 

C.  Cornehlson, 

Mrs.  <  aroline  Turner, 

Mrs  A.  Cornehlson, 

Miss  Emily  Polvogt, 

H.  Rathjen, 

Charles  Bonck, 

Aug"ust  Gunther, 

L.  Vollers, 

Mrs.  Rebecca  Gunther, 

W.  Ulrich, 

N.  Gerken, 

August  Mindel, 

Mrs.  Anna  Gerken, 

H.  VonGlahn, 

Henry  Matthias, 

H.  B.  Eilers, 

John  Bremer, 

Mrs.  M.  D.  Eilers, 

Mrs.  C.  R.  Bremer, 

Miss  Doris  Mugge, 

Mrs.  Louisa  Doscher, 

Miss  Caroline  Wilkens, 

John  Von  der  Lieth, 

Miss  Ann  Lues, 

Mrs.  C.  Von  der  Lieth, 

Miss  Elizabeth  Hashagen 

,  George  Steenken, 

John  M.  Bremer, 

Mrs.  A.  L.  Steenken, 

Charles  Schulken, 

Henry  Haar, 

John  C.  Kooh, 

Mrs.  Eleanor  Dommler, 

Henry  Plein, 

Johann  Apel, 

Anna  Plein, 

Mrs.  Catharine  Apel, 

H.  Eckel, 

R.  F.  Eyden, 

A.  Adrian, 

Edward  Peschau, 

F.  Henning", 

H.  Hensen, 

A.  W.  Thies, 

F.  Peppinghaus, 

F.  W.  Knohl, 

Mrs.  Peppinghaus, 

Mrs.  Mary  Knohl, 

Miss  Theresa  Clary, 

10 

C.  H.  Mohr, 
August  Lessrnann, 
Mrs.  Mary  Lessmann. 
L.  C.  Turner, 
H.  Rehder, 
C.  VonGlahn, 
John  G.  Bauman, 
Charles  H.  Ganzer, 


Henry  Westermann, 
Miss  Helena  Vatthauer, 
Henry  Hutner, 
Mrs.  Barbara  Hutner, 
George  Steining-er, 
J.  H  Cornehlson, 
P.  N.  Mohr, 
Gerig-  Paul, 


August  Dummelandt. 


On  the  30th  of  April,  1869,  the  congrega- 
tion was  admitted  to  the  North  Carolina  Synod, 
a  connection  thus  being  formed,  which  has  re- 
mained unbroken  to  the  present  time.  During 
Pastor  Mengert's  entire  pastorate  the  Synod 
contributed  to  his  support,  the  congregation 
receiving  a  total  of  $1,200  from  this  source. 
We  should  be  ungrateful  if  we  failed  to 
state  in  this  connection,  that  a  large  sum  of 
money  was  contributed  by  individuals  both  in 
the  North  and  in  the  South  to  the  church  build- 
ing. The  names  of  the  many  kind  donors  are 
of  course  unrecorded  at  this  time,  but  should 
this  sketch  fall  into  the  hands  of  any  such,  let 
him  be  assured  of  the  lasting  gratitude  of  the 
congregation. 

As  early  as  June  (1859)  Mr.  H.  Vollers  sub- 
mitted a  plan  for  a  Gothic  church,  65  by  40 
feet,  with  a  vestry  room  in  the  rear,  30  by  16 
feet,  the  estimated  cost  of  the  proposed  struc- 
ture being  from  five  to  six  thousand  dollars. 
This  plan  was  adopted  and  a  building  commit- 
tee, composed  of  Messrs.  E.  Schulken,  H.  B. 


n 


St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church. 


Eilers,  E.  VonGlahn,  W.  Knohl  and  H.  Vol- 
lers,  was  instructed  to  proceed  at  once  with 
the  erection  of  the  church.  So  vigorously  did 
this  committee  press  the  work,  that  on  the  6th 
of  September  the  corner-stone  was  laid.  Let 
us  imagine  ourselves  present  upon  that  occa- 
sion. Pastor  Mengert  speaks  in  joyful  tones 
•of  the  doctrine,  the  strength  and  the  work  of 
the  Lutheran  Church  to  a  large  assembly  and, 
at  the  conclusion  of  his  inspiring  sermon,  he 
solemnly  lays  the  stone  according  to  the  ritual 
of  our  Church.  The  ceremony  is  concluded 
and  the  little  flock  gathers  about  the  pastor, 
each  heart  full  of  the  joy  and  happiness  this 
first  concrete  form  of  their  determination  has 
created.  Can  we  fully  imagine  their  feelings 
or  thoroughly  appreciate  all  that  this  service 
has  meant  to  them  ?  Not  unless  we  ourselves 
have  passed  through  a  similar  experience. 

The  brick  walls  now  rise,  the  tower  and  the 
roof  are  added  and  before  1860  comes  to  a 
close  the  exterior  of  St.  PauPs  is  finished. 
The  congregation  had  invited  the  Synod  to 
meet  in  Wilmington  during  the  coming  Spring, 
in  order  that  its  members  might  be  present  at 
the  consecration  services.  Until  that  joyous 
time  should  arrive,  the  congregation  contented 
itself  in  the  "session  room"  at  the  rear  of  the 
church,  which  was  finished,  the  scene  of  so 
many  meetings  and  labors  during  the  years  to 
come. 


13 


THE  WAR. 


A  few  weeks  before  the  meeting  of  the 
Synod  the  first  battle  of  the  Civil  War  was 
fought.  The  terrible  conflict  between  the 
North  and  the  South  threw  everything  into 
confusion.  Church  enterprises,  especially  new 
ones,  languished.  The  Synod  indeed  convened 
in  Wilmington,  but  not  in  the  new  church. 
Some  members  of  the  congregation  enlisted 
in  the  army;  some  fell  in  battle,  some  became 
victims  to  the  yellow  fever  epidemic.  The 
tale  of  suffering  need  not  be  retold.  Suf- 
ficient to  say,  that  the  congregation's  hopes 
slowly  died.  Owing  to  this  sad  condition  of 
affairs  and  its  consequent  effects,  Pastor  Men- 
gert,  was  forced  to  resign,  his  resignation 
taking  effect  May  2nd,  1862.  His  pastorate 
had  lasted  three  years  and  four  months.  So 
uncertain  did  the  future  seem  that  the  little 
remnant  of  Lutherans  entertained  no  thought 
of  calling  a  successor.  There  followed  a  va- 
cancy of  seven  years  and  eight  months.  Dur- 
ing this  long  dark  period  the  Sunday  School 
proved  to  be  the  one  bright  ray  of  hope  left. 
With  comparatively  few  interims  it  met  in  the 
session  room  each  Sunday,  under  the  leader- 
ship of  Mr.  H.  B.  Eilers,  and  kept  the  little 
band  of  adults  and  children  together,  as  best 
it  could,  until  a  brighter  day  might  dawn.  All 
honor  to  the  Sunday  School  !  It  has  performed 


14 


a  noble  part  in  the  upbuilding  of  our  congre- 
gation. 

Early  in  1865  Fort  Fisher  fell  and  the  Fed- 
eral troops  were  soon  in  possession  of  Wil- 
mington. The  interior  of  St.  Paul's  seemed 
to  offer  them  not  only  desirable,  but  suitable 
quarters.  At  their  hands  the  building  and 
everything  in  and  about  it  suffered.  Fencing, 
joists,  pews  and  even  the  reading  desk  were 
used  for  fuel,  while  the  beautiful  tower,  black- 
ened by  the  smoke  of  their  fires,  soon  resem- 
bled a  huge  chimney.  Without  any  regard  for 
the  sacred  character  of  the  building,  they 
placed  all  sorts  of  inscriptions  on  the  plastered 
walls.  When  these  troops  finally  left  the  city 
and  the  Lutherans  assembled  to  see  how  their 
building  had  fared,  a  sad  sight  greeted  their 
eyes.  Even  the  vestry  room  could  not  be  used 
and  the  Sunday  School  sessions  were  sus- 
pended. The  last  flicker  of  hope  died,  for  it 
seemed  impossible  that  they  would  ever  be 
able  to  replace  their  losses  and  to  complete  the 
church.  Many  were  in  favor  of  abandoning 
the  whole  enterprise  at  once. 

THE  DAWN  OF  A  NEW  DAY. 

A  rumor  of  this  sad  state  of  affairs  reached 
the  Rev.  G.  D.  Bernbeim,  then  residing  in 
Charlotte.  Fearful  for  the  extinction  of  the 
congregation  he  hastens  to  Wilmington  and 
gathers  the  remnant  left.    They  meet  and  as 


15 


he  addresses  them  for  the  second  time  in  their 
history  upon  the  subject  of  organization,  his 
influence  sways  them  onward  toward  hope. 
They  go  forth  from  the  meetings  with  faith 
in  God  and  in  the  ultimate  success  of  their  un- 
dertaking. Impoverished  by  the  war,  with- 
out any  available  funds  in  their  treasury,  even 
without  the  services  of  a  pastor,  they  under- 
take the  completion  of  the  building.  What 
words  can  fittingly  express  our  admiration  of 
their  zeal  ?  These  men,  with  the  results  of 
war  all  about  them,  in  the  darkest  hour  of  a 
great  trial,  their  cause  having  fallen,  yet  reso- 
lutely taking  up  the  work  of  their  church, 
must  serve  as  an  inspiration  to  every  genera- 
tion of  St.  Paul's.  By  the  month  of  July,  1869, 
they  had  completed  the  building  and  were  now 
in  possession  of  a  beautiful  church,  richly  fur- 
nished and  comparing  favorably  with  the 
finest  churches  of  the  city.  Even  a  bell  hung 
in  the  tower,  a  gift  of  the  firm  of  Adrian  & 
Vollers,  mutely  awaiting  the  da>  when  it 
should  call  men  and  women  to  the  consecra- 
tion of  the  church. 

THE  CONSECRATION  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

On  Sunday,  August  22nd,  1869,  after  a  de- 
cade of  waiting,  the  sorely  tried  Lutherans 
are  permitted  to  assemble  for  the  consecration 
of  their  church.  They  had  invited  him  whose 
influence  and  zeal  had  made  the  event  possi- 


1(3 


ble,  the  Rev.  G.  D.  Bernheim,  and  also  the 
Revs.  C.  H.  Bernheim,  L.  Muller  and  W.  A. 
Julian.  The  pastors  and  the  council  surround 
the  altar  and  the  beautiful  words  of  consecra- 
tion are  spoken  by  Pastor  Bernheim.  What 
thoughts  of  gratitude  now  fill  the  hearts  of  the 
faithful  few;  yet  mingled  with  these  thoughts 
are  the  sad  memories  of  the  dead.  At  the 
morning  service  Pastor  Bernheim  preaches 
on  Luke  10:23-24;  at  the  afternoon  service 
Pastor  Miller  preaches  on  Ps.  26:6-8;  and 
at  the  night  service  Pastor  Julian  preaches 
on  Canticles  6:10.  It  is  stated  on  the  morn- 
ing service  that  there  are  forty-seven  millions 
of  Lutherans  in  the  world  To-day  we  can 
speak  of  seventy-five  millions,  a  glorious  in- 
crease ! 

THE  SECOND  PASTORATE. 

The  greatest  need  at  this  time  was  a  pastor. 
Three  days  after  the  consecration  service  the 
congregation  decided  to  call  the  Rev.  G.  D. 
Bernheim,  who  had  thrice  come  to  their  aid 
and  who  had  always  led  them  to  success.  The 
call  was  accepted,  Pastor  Bernheim  arriving 
with  his  family  in  the  city  December  29th, 
1869.  He  found  many  labors  awaiting  him. 
During  the  long  pastoral  vacancy  many  chil- 
dren and  adults  had  drifted  into  other  churches. 
A  goodly  number  of  Lutherans  had  come  to 
Wilmington  after  the  war  and  these  needed  to 

17 


be  gathered.  Spiritual  interest  needed  awaken- 
ing. The  finances  of  the  congregation  de- 
manded both  prayerful  and  careful  thought. 
Pastor  Bernheim  prosecuted  his  work  with 
such  vigor,  however,  that  as  a  result  both  the 
congregation  and  the  Sunday  School  grew,  the 
latter  becoming  sixty  strong.  Upon  the  res- 
ignation of  Mr.  H.  B.  Eilers  from  thesuperin- 
tendency  of  the  school,  Mr.  H.  G.  Hashagen 
was  elected  his  successor.  The  pastor  organ- 
ized and  instructed  a  class  of  catechumens, 
fourteen  of  whom  were  confirmed  on  Good 
Friday,  April  19th,  1870. 

THE  FIRST  CONFIRMATION  CLA3S. 

William  H.  Gerken,  Mrs.  Caroline  Stolter, 

Catherine  M.  Gerken,  John  H.  Tienken, 

Charles  J.  Gerken,  Margaret  C.  Tienken, 

Joanna  Lemmerman,  Anna  Von  der  Lieth, 

Lissette  C.  Bernheim,  Anna  S.  Lessman, 

William  H.  Strauss,  Anna  S.  Heins, 

Caroline  T.  Strauss,  Margaret  E.  Heins. 

Pastor  Bernheim  was  installed  on  the  fifth 
of  June  by  the  Revs.  L.  A.  Bickle  and  D.  I. 
Dreher.  During  the  same  year  it  was  resolved 
that  the  Lord's  Supper  should  be  administered 
four  times  annually.  The  attendance  at  pub- 
lic services  was  good  and  the  membership  of 
of  the  congregation  increased  about  forty  per 
cent. 

The  year  1870  was  marked  by  two  impor- 
tant events,  the  erection  of  the  parsonage  and 

19 


the  organization  of  the  Christian  Association. 
The  congregation  has  never  believed  in  half 
measures  and  this  spirit  manifests  itself  in  the 
large  and  comforatble  parsonage  situated  on 
its  property.  At  the  time  of  its  erection  it 
compared  favorably  with  the  finest  and  largest 
homes  of  the  city.  The  pastor,  together  with 
Messrs.  H.  Haar  and  B.  H.  J.  Ahrens,  were 
the  committee  on  construction.  The  enter- 
prise was  started  as  a  venture  and  ended  in 
success.  The  cost  of  construction  was  14,757. 
The  congregation  of  to-day  is  most  fortunate 
in  its  material  possessions;  the  forethought  of 
the  fathers,  who  so  wisely  provided,  even  to 
the  extent  of  planting  the  trees,  which  beau- 
tify our  property,  was  remarkable. 

THE  CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATION. 

On  October  23rd  (1870)  an  invitation  was 
extended  to  the  male  members  of  the  congre- 
gation to  organize  a  "Christian  Association/' 
whose  purpose  should  be  that  of  enlisting  the 
energies  of  men  in  the  Kingdom  of  God.  This 
organization,  which  came  into  being  on  the 
29th  of  October,  has  been  of  benefit  not  only 
to  its  members,  but  to  hosts  of  others.  Quietly 
fulfilling  its  purpose  it  has  played  an  important 
part  in  the  history  of  the  church.  Its  benefi- 
cence has  gone  forth  to  aid  men  in  distress 
and  destitution,  in  bodily  and  spiritual  sick- 
ness. 


20 


Easter  Monday  of  this  same  year  having 
been  set  apart  by  the  German  Emperor  as  a 
day  of  thanksgiving  for  the  victory  of  the  Ger- 
man army  over  the  French,  the  Germans 
across  the  sea  celebrated  the  day.  In  Wil- 
mington a  large  assembly  met  at  St.  Paul's, 
where  Pastor  Bernheim,  the  chosen  orator, 
conducted  services  and  delivered  an  address 
suitable  to  the  occasion. 

FRUITFUL  YEARS. 

When  we  reach  a  period  of  history  in  which 
there  are  no  stirring  events  to  record,  we  have 
come  as  a  rule  to  a  period  of  inner  develop- 
ment. Such  a  period  now  begins  in  the  his- 
tory of  St.  Paul's.  During  the  years  of  1872 
and  1873  the  congregation  grew  numerically 
and  in  inward  strength.  The  foundation  was 
laid  for  that  conservative  type  of  Lutheranism 
which  has  prevailed  to  the  present.  The  finan- 
cial burden  was  becoming  lighter  and  it  seemed 
as  if  the  congregation  would  soon  be  free  of 
debt;  but  in  the  Fall  of  1873  a  financial  panic 
began  to  sweep  over  the  land  and  its  effects 
were  keenly  felt  in  this  city  early  in  1874. 
Some  of  St.  Paul's  members  left  the  city  and 
a  succession  of  sudden  deaths,  in  no  wise  con- 
nected with  the  panic,  filled  all  hearts  with 
dismay  Again  in  a  somewhat  gloomy  period 
the  Synod  met  in  Wilmington,  this  time,  how- 
ever, convening  in  the  church.    The  homes  of 

21 


our  people  were  thrown  open  wide  in  gener- 
ous hospitality  and  so  impressed  was  a  visitor 
from  Pennsylvania,  the  Rev.  J.  Fry,  that  he 
wrote  of  the  congregation  in  glowing  terms 
upon  his  return  to  the  North.  The  effects  of 
the  panic  soon  passed  and  prosperity  again 
reigned.  An  attempt  was  made  by  Pastor 
Bernheim  to  conduct  a  Wednesday  night  ser- 
vice, and,  although  he  continued  this  effort  for 
three  years,  it  was  at  no  time  well  attended. 
Not  so,  however,  the  daily  services  during 
Holy  Week  which  were  introduced  at  this  time. 
They  proved  highly  successful  in  every  re- 
spect. In  1876  Pastor  Bernheim  opened  a 
school  in  several  rooms  of  the  parsonage, 
which  at  the  outstart  was  attended  by  eighty 
pupils.  This  school  proved  to  be  the  corner- 
stone of  an  elaborate  parochial  school  system, 
which  obtained  at  a  later  period.  During  the 
same  year  Mr.  W.  H.  Strauss  was  elected  su- 
perintendent of  the  Sunday  School  in  the  place 
of  Mr.  Hashagen,  who  had  resigned.  We  can- 
not pass  by  this  period  without  mentioning  a 
name,  that  of  Mr.  John  Baker,  who  became 
sexton  of  the  church,  and  whose  faithful  la- 
bors in  this  position  for  thirty-three  years,  are 
so  closely  linked  with  the  history  of  his  and 
our  congregation. 

The  cares  of  pastor  and  teacher  proved  to 
be  too  heavy  for  Pastor  Bernheim  The  con- 
gregation accordingly  granted  him  an  indefi- 

22 


nite  leave  of  absence  to  visit  Europe,  with 
the  hope  that  his  health  might  be  restored. 
During  this  interval  the  ministerial  office  was 
supplied  by  the  Rev.  F.  P.  Cook,  now  of 
Jewett,  Ohio,  whose  services  are  still  remem- 
bered by  the  older  members  of  the  congrega- 
tion. 

THE  DORCAS  SOCJETY. 

The  second  society  of  St.  Paul's  was  organ- 
ized during  the  Summer  of  1877.  It  was  a  la- 
dies' society,  whose  purpose  as  stated  was 
"(1)  to  liquidate  the  debt  of  the  church,  and 
also  to  render  any  other  assistance  which  the 
wants  of  the  church  may  demand;  (2)  to  pro- 
vide as  far  as  our  means  will  allow,  for  any 
sickness  or  destitution  among  the  ladies  or 
children  of  our  congregation."  Its  first  offi- 
cers were  :  President,  Mrs.  G.  D.  Bernheim; 
vice-president,  Mrs.  H.  B.  Eilers;  secretary, 
Miss  Lissette  Bernheim;  treasurer,  Mrs.  H. 
Vollers.  To  record  the  labors  of  this  society 
would  require  a  separate  booklet.  As  we  pass 
through  our  buildings  and  over  our  grounds, 
we  see  everywhere  evidences  of  its  kindness 
and  activity.  Its  history,  like  the  life  of  Dor- 
cas, is  full  of  good  works.  Indeed,  the  con- 
gregation owes  a  lasting  debt  of  gratitude  to 
the  women  of  the  church.  Their  names  may 
not  appear  so  frequently  in  its  records  as 
those  of  the  men,  but  their  labors  and  deeds, 

23 


their  faith  and  fidelity  shine  just  as  brightly. 

Even  in  these  early  days  it  was  affirmed 
that  the  rising  generation  could  not  understand 
German  well  enough  to  be  able  to  participate 
in  the  morning  services.  Accordingly  for  sev- 
eral years  German  services  were  held  only  on 
the  first  Sunday  of  each  month,  but  this  meas- 
ure proved  to  be  too  severe.  As  the  years 
passed  by  the  language  question  came  up  time 
and  again  in  the  congregational  meetings  and 
many  theories  for  its  solution  were  proposed 
and  tried.  It  is  pleasant  to  state  that  it  has 
never  created  great  strife  or  division,  as  has 
been  the  case  in  some  congregations  similarly 
situated. 

When  Pastor  Bernheim  returned  from  Eu- 
rope he  attacked  his  work  with  stronger  vigor, 
but  again  the  strain  proved  to  be  too  great. 
He  resigned,  but  the  resignation  was  not  ac- 
cepted, the  congregation  voting  him  1200  an- 
nualy  for  the  services  of  a  teacher.  He  re- 
mained with  the  congregation  until  1881,  his 
second  resignation  going  into  effect  on  the 
last  Sunday  of  that  year.  Thus  a  fruitful  pas- 
torate of  twelve  years'  duration  came  to  its 
close. 

THE  THIRD  PASTORATE. 

Before  Pastor  Bernheim 's  resignation  had 
taken  effect  the  congregation  called  the  Rev. 
F.  W.  E.  Peschau,  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  to  suc- 


24 


The  Rev.  P.  W.  E.  Peschau,  D.  D. 


ceed  him,  In  this  manner  a  long  vacancy  in 
the  pastorate  was  avoided.  Pastor  Peschau 
accepted  the  call  and  arrived  in  the  city  March 
3rd,  1882.  On  the  following  day  he  preached 
his  introductory  sermon  and  later  was  in- 
stalled. 

Just  before  this  pastor's  arrival  an  event  of 
importance,  as  far  as  the  finances  of  the  con- 
gregation were  concerned,  had  occurred,  viz  : 
That  the  Christian  Association,  upon  its  dis- 
solution had  bestowed  upon  the  congregation 
its  accumulated  money  (between  $1,000  and 
$1,100)  and  the  Dorcas  Society  contributing 
a  sum  of  money  at  the  same  time,  the  congre- 
gation for  the  first  time  in  its  history  was 
practically  free  from  debt. 

Pastor  Peschau's  pastorate  began  and  con- 
tinued under  auspicious  circumstances.  His 
activity  soon  brought  rich  returns.  The  need 
of  a  separate  building  for  the  Sunday  School, 
a  parochial  school  and  the  church  societies  be- 
gan to  be  felt.  This  need  was  supplied,  when 
in  1883-1884  "Luther  Memorial  Building,,  was 
erected  at  the  corner  of  Sixth  and  Princess 
streets  at  a  cost  of  $4,000,  Messrs.  J.  F.  Stol- 
ter,  L.  Vollers  and  F.  W.  Ortmann  acting  as 
a  building  committee.  In  1882  the  pastor 
gathered  the  younger  members  of  the  congre- 
gation into  a  "Young  Peoples'  Society/ '  which 
flourished  about  eight  years.  It  did  much  to 
interest  the  young  in  their  church  and  culti- 

26 


vated  a  spirit  of  kindness  and  unity  among 
them,  which  is  felt  to  this  day.  Many  of  the 
men  and  women,  now  so  active  in  our  work, 
here  received  their  first  impulse  toward  con- 
gregational activity.  Its  first  officers  were  : 
President,  H.  F.  Ottent  vice-president,  C.  E. 
Hall;  recording  secretary,  C.  W.  Polvogt;  cor- 
responding secretary,  Miss  Kate  Ganzer; 
treasurer,  Miss  Lizzie  Grotgen;  librarian,  E. 
Schulken.  A  "Jugend  Verein,"  organized  to 
accomplish  the  same  purpose  among  those  pre- 
ferring German,  came  into  existence  later 
(1892)  and  prospered  for  two  years,  the  de- 
struction of  Luther  Memorial  Building  termi- 
nating its  life.  The  first  officers  were  :  Presi- 
dent, J.  H.  Kuck;  vice-president,  J.  W.  H. 
Fuchs;  secretary,  F.  Richter;  treasurer,  Miss 
M.  Strunck.  In  1886  a  constitution  for  the 
Sunday  School  was  framed  and  with  the  con- 
gregation's approval  adopted.  In  1887  the 
Karrer-Schulken  Fund  was  established  by  Miss 
Emma  Karrer  and  Mrs.  E.  Schulken  in 
memory  of  Mrs.  K.  D.  Karrer  and  Mr.  E. 
Schulken,  Sr.,  the  interest  of  the  money  placed 
therein  being  designated  for  the  support  of 
the  pastorate.  This  fund  has  received  addi- 
tional bequests  since  its  establishment  and  is 
open  to  all  who  desire  to  leave  the  congrega- 
tion some  annual  income. 

In  1887  the  pipe  organ  was  purchased  at  a 
cost  of  $1,800  and  consecrated.    We  may  im- 
27 


agine  what  joy  and  pleasure  this  instrument 
produced,  for  up  to  this  time  the  congregation 
had  contented  itself  with  a  reed  organ.  The 
acquisition  of  the  instrument  marked  a  new 
epoch  in  the  musical  development  of  the  con- 
gregational services.  Prof.  VanLaer  was  the 
first  to  officiate  as  its  organist  and,  in  this 
connection,  we  might  mention  some  of  those 
who  have  succeeded  him,  viz :  Miss  C. 
Chasten,  Miss  Eliza  Adrian,  Miss  Margaret 
Peschau,  Miss  Annie  Boesch  and  Miss  C. 
Stolter. 

During  the  Summer  of  1888  the  United 
Synod  in  the  South  met  in  our  church  and 
city,  the  sessions  proving  highly  instructive 
and  interesting  to  the  members  of  the  congre- 
gation. Entertainment  was  provided  for  this 
distinguished  body  in  the  well  knon  manner 
indicated  by  the  term  "Southern  hospitality." 
In  April  of  this  same  year  the  Christian  As- 
sociation was  reorganized  under  the  follow- 
ing officers  :  President,  H.  L.  Vollers;  vice- 
president,  J.  D.  H.  Klander;  recording  secre- 
tary, J.  H.  Rehder;  corresponding  secretary, 
H.  J.  Dingelhcef;  treasurer,  G.  W.  BorLe- 
mann. 

THE  MENGERT  CIRCLE. 

On  October  2nd,  1889,  the  third  congrega- 
tional society  was  organized  under  the  title, 
"Mengert  Mission  Circle,"  its  purpose  being 

28 


to  create  interest  in  the  mission  work  of  the 
church  at  large  and  to  raise  funds  for  its  sup- 
port. Children  as  well  as  adults  were  ad- 
mitted to  its  membership.  Its  name,  recall- 
ing the  labors  of  the  first  pastor,  fittingly  com- 
memorates his  pastorate.  Meeting  without 
interruption  to  the  present,  this  organization 
has  contributed  a  great  deal  to  the  work  of 
the  Lutheran  Church  in  the  South  and  to  the 
local  work  of  the  congregation.  Although 
the  word  ''mission"  was  dropped  from  its 
title  at  a  later  day,  this  in  no  wise  indicated 
that  its  interest  in  the  missionary  work  of 
the  church  decreased.  The  first  organization 
was  constituted  as  follows  :  President,  Mrs. 
H.  Rehder;  vice-president,  Mrs.  H.  A.  Gla- 
meyer;  secretary,  Miss  M.  Strauss;  treasurer, 
Miss  A.  Doscher. 

During  the  same  year  the  constitution  of 
the  church  was  revised,  an  undertaking  which 
required  meeting  upon  meeting  of  the  con- 
gregation. Two  years  later  an  attempt  was 
made  to  begin  a  Lutheran  congregation  among 
the  colored  people,  two  individuals  having 
offered  a  handsome  sum  of  money  towards 
the  support  of  a  paster  for  this  work.  It  was 
found,  however,  that  the  project  was  imprac- 
ticable. Not  so,  however,  the  work  among 
the  seamen  begun  by  Pastor  Peschau  at^this 
period.  With  untiring  energy  he  cultivated 
ability  to  preach  in  Scandivian  languages, 

29 


and  as  the  harbor  in  that  day  was  filled  with 
sailing  vessels,  whose  crews  to  a  large  extent 
were  Scandinavians,  he  accomplished  a  great 
deal  of  good  among  them.  For  several  years 
the  congregation  was  intensely  interested  in 
work  among  the  seamen,  but  as,  with  the  ad- 
vent of  steamships,  the  number  and  size  of 
the  crews  which  touched  here  diminished, 
this  field  of  usefulness  also  was  narrowed.  St. 
Paul's  ever  sought  to  take  both  a  temporal 
and  spiritual  interest  in  all  Lutherans  coming 
to  the  city. 

The  tenth  anniversary  of  Pastor  Peschau's 
pastorate  was  celebrated  in  1892,  the  church 
having  been  refrescoed,  recarpeted  and  re- 
cushioned  just  before  this  event.  In  the 
souvenir  booklet  published  upon  that  occasion 
several  gifts  are  mentioned  which  we  would 
recall  :  Baptismal  font,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  D. 
Wessell;  lectern  and  altar,  Mrs.  F.  W.  Heyer 
and  Mrs.  H.  Rehder;  Bibles,  Mrs.  Wright  and 
Messrs.  C.  and  J  Schmidt;  hymnal  registers, 
Messrs.  H.  and  L.  Vollers;  silver  set,  Mrs. 
Laura  Doscher;  robe  for  the  pastor,  Dorcas 
Society;  plush  mountings,  Mrs.  A.  Smith; 
hymnal  board,  Mrs.  H.  Haar,  Sr. ;  altar  cloth, 
Mrs.  E.  Schulken. 

ST.  MATTHEW'S  SUNDAY  SCHOOL 

With  the  increase  of  the  number  of  Lutherans 
in  Wilmington,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to 

30 


open  a  branch  Sunday  School  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  city.  Pastor  Peschau  began  this 
work  April  15th,  1890,  and  with  Mr.  C.  W. 
Polvogt  as  superintendent  and  an  able  corps 
of  teachers,  the  work  prospered  to  such  an 
extent  that  there  was  even  some  talk  of  or- 
ganizing a  similar  school  in  the  southern  part 
of  Wilmington.  In  1881  a  lot  was  purchased 
on  North  Fourth  street  at  a  cost  of  $1, 100  and 
a  chapel  erected  thereon,  whose  corner-stone 
was  laid  March  30th,  1891,  by  Pastor  Peschau 
and  the  Rev.  G.  H.  Cox,  President  of  the 
Synod.  This  chapel,  costing  $1,950,  was  oc- 
cupied for  the  first  time  on  the  17th  of  May. 
During  the  following  year  (March  14th,  1892) 
St.  Matthew's  was  permitted  to  withdraw 
from  the  mother  church,  the  latter  waiving 
all  claims,  rights  and  titles  thereto  and  wish- 
ing the  young  congregation  Godspeed  and 
blessing.  The  pastors  who  have  served  the 
new  congregation  since  its  organization  are  : 
The  Rev.  G.  D.  Bernheim,  C.  W.  Kegley  and 
G.  S.  Bearden. 

Pastor  Peschau  tendered  his  resignation  in 
1892,  the  same  going  into  effect  on  the  last 
Sunday  of  February,  1893.  During  the  eleven 
years  of  his  pastorate  the  congregation  had 
been  strengthened  and  increased,  its  organi- 
zation had  become  more  fully  matured  and  its 
missionary  zeal  cultivated.  Freed  to  a  great 
extent  from  the  care  of  self-preservation,  it 
31 


The  Rev.  K.  Boldt,  D.  D. 


possessed  more  time  and  opportunity  to 
broaden  its  field  of  usefulness  under  his  ener- 
getic leadership. 

THE  FOURTH  PASTORATE. 

During  the  ensuing  pastoral  vacancy  of  eight 
months,  Pastor  Berriheim  supplied  the  pulpit. 
On  the  15th  of  August,  1893,  the  Rev.  K. 
Boldt,  of  Charleston,  was  called  to  the  pas- 
torate. Accepting  the  call,  Pastor  Boldt  came 
to  Wilmington  and  preached  his  introductory 
sermon  November  19th,  his  installation  occur- 
ring January  21st  of  the  following  year,  the 
Revs.  E.  T.  Horn,  D.  D.,  and  G.  D.  Bern-" 
heim,  D.  D.,  officiating.  Just  before  the  ar- 
rival of  Pastor  Boldt,  Mr.  J.  D.  H.  Klander 
had  been  elected  superintendent  of  the  Sun- 
day School,  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Strauss,  who 
after  a  term  of  sixteen  years  had  resigned. 

The  first  event  of  importance  in  this  pastor- 
ate was  the  introduction  of  the  "Common 
Service,"  a  service  prepared  by  a  joint  com- 
mittee composed  of  members  appointed  by  the 
various  Lutheran  bodies  in  this  country  and 
based  on  the  best  Lutheran  liturgies  of  the 
Sixteenth  century.  Though  adopted  previ- 
ously, the  time  for  its  introduction  did  not 
seem  ripe  until  1894,  when  it  was  used  with- 
out causing  any  friction. 

A  FIRE. 

On  January  10th,  1894,  Luther  Memorial 


33 


Building  was  completely  destroyed  by  fire,  the 
flames  originating  in  the  apparatus  left  by 
some  workmen  on  the  roof  during  the  noon 
recess.  The  parochial  school,  established  in 
1891,  occupied  part  of  the  building  at  this  time 
and  was  in  sach  a  flourishing  condition  that  it 
was  both  the  hope  and  pride  of  the  congrega- 
tion. Its  home  lay  in  ashes  and  its  pupils  and 
teachers  gathered  about  the  ruins,  a  mournful 
band.  The  members  of  the  Jewish  Synagogue 
immediately  offered  the  school  the  use  of  their 
basement,  but  as  the  vestry  room  of  the  church 
and  a  room  in  the  parsonage  were  available  as 
a  temporary  homa,  there  was  no  need  of  ac- 
cepting the  kind  offer.  Two  weeks  after  the 
fire,  the  congregation  with  characteristic  en- 
ergy decided  to  erect  a  new  and  a  larger  build- 
ing. A  building  committee  consisting  of 
Messrs.  A.  D.  Wessell,  A.  Smith  and  F.  E. 
Hashagen  completed  the  new  building,  with 
the  assistance  of  Mr.  John  C.  Stout,  its  archi- 
tect, before  the  close  of  the  year.  The  laying 
of  its  corner  stone  and  its  consecration  are 
still  fresh  in  the  minds  of  most  of  our  mem- 
bers. Thus  the  large  and  commodious  build- 
ing we  now  possess,  the  meeting  place  of  our 
schools  and  societies,  was  acquired,  the  cost 
thereof  being  $5,124 

The  new  building  completed,  the  parochial 
school  flourished  as  never  before.  Much  care 
and  aid  was  bestowed  by  the  members  of  the 

34 


congregation  upon  its  establishment  and  con- 
tinuance. Not  only  the  church  in  general,  but 
a  host  of  individuals  contributed  large  sums 
of  money  annually  to  its  support.  Many  of 
the  present  members  of  the  congregation 
served  upon  its  board  with  zeal  and  fideltty. 
At  one  time  as  many  as  100  scholars  attended 
its  sessions  and  its  cirriculum  was  so  com- 
plete that  its  graduates  were  admitted  from 
its  portals  into  the  colleges  of  the  State.  De- 
spite all  of  the  zeal  and  self-sacrifice  of  the 
congregation  it  had  to  be  abandoned  in  1902, 
because  of  the  lack  of  support  on  the  part  of 
parents  in  sending  children  to  it,  the  public 
schools  of  the  city  having  by  that  time  at- 
tained a  high  grade  of  efficiency. 

A  NEW  SYSTEM  OF  FINANCES. 

The  current  expenses  of  the  congregation 
up  to  this  time  were  met  by  pew  rents,  monthly 
dues  and  plate  collections.  This  three-fold 
source  of  income  gradually  proved  insufficient, 
considerable  difficulty  having  been  experi- 
enced for  more  than  a  decade  in  meeting  the 
financial  needs.  4 'The  Apportionment  Sys- 
tem' '  was  now  adopted  after  thoughtful  dis- 
cussion, a  system  under  which  each  member, 
after  consultation  with  a  committee,  paid  a 
weekly  sum  of  money  to  the  church,  accord- 
ing to  his  means,  and  the  pews  became  free. 
This  system  proved  to  be  remarkably  success- 


36 


ful  from  the  start,  freeing  the  congregation 
from  a  host  of  trivial  financial  burdens.  The 
first  committee  appointed,  which  carried  this 
system  into  effect,  consisted  of  Messrs.  A.  D. 
Wessell,  M.  G.  Tiencken,  A.  Smith,  J.  H. 
Rehder  and  F.  W.  Orttmann.  The  constitu- 
tion was  revised  to  meet  the  requirements  of 
this  new  system  and  the  revised  constitution 
was  adopted  by  the  congregation. 

DEATH  OF  THE  REV.  B.  H.  W.  RUNGE. 

For  several  years  the  congregation  had 
looked  forward  to  the  day  when  the  first  pas- 
tor should  emerge  from  its  ranks  and  go  forth 
to  labor  for  the  Lord.  The  Christian  Associa- 
tion and  the  congregation  had  taken  a  deep 
and  helpful  interest  in  his  studies  at  Mount 
Airy  Theological  Seminary,  Philadelphia.  Mr. 
Runge's  health  failed,  however,  at  the  time 
of  his  graduation  and,  although  ordained  to 
the  office  of  the  ministry  (June  2nd,  1895),  he 
was  never  permitted  to  labor  in  the  vocation 
which  he  so  dearly  loved,  the  Lord  calling  him 
to  higher  and  more  blessed  labors  on  the  15th 
of  June  of  the  same  year.  His  memory  will 
ever  be  cherished  in  St.  Paul's  as  a  young 
man  of  deep  piety  and  culture,  the  first  pas- 
tor sent  forth  from  our  fold. 

In  1896  Mr.  John  Haar  was  elected  super- 
intendent of  the  Sunday  School,  upon  the  res- 
ignation of  Mr.  J.  D.  H.  Klander.  the  schools 


37 


of  the  congregation  at  that  time  being  in  a 
flourishing  condition.  The  congregation  as  a 
whole  was  growing  in  doctrinal  strength 
through  Pastor  Boidt's  effective  preaching 
and  teaching,  pastor  and  people  having  be- 
come bound  together  into  close  bonds  of  love. 
This  happy  relation  was  severed  when  Pastor 
Boldt  received  and  accepted  an  urgent  call  to 
his  former  congregation  at  Charleston  (Sep- 
tember, 1897),  his  resignation  going  into  ef- 
fect December  17th,  1897.  He  had  been  the 
pastor  of  St.  Paul's  a  little  more  than  four 
years,  yet  had  accomplished  much  during  this 
brief  period.  Within  a  few  y  ears  after  Pastor 
Boidt's  return  to  Charleston,  he  was  sum- 
moned to  his  eternal  reward,  whither  also  his 
faithful  helpmate  followed  him  within  a  few 
years. 

THE  FIFTH  PASTORATE. 

Before  Pastor  Boidt's  resignation  had  taken 
effect,  the  congregation  had  already  called 
the  Rev.  A,  G.  Voigt,  D.  D.,  Professor  of 
Theology  at  Newberry,  S.  C.  Pastor  Voigt 
accepting  the  call,  took  charge  of  the  congre- 
gation June  1st.  1898,  and  was  installed  on  the 
19th  of  the  same  month  by  the  Revs.  G.  D. 
Bernheim,  and  K.  Boldt.  The  congregation 
once  more  was  fortunate  in  obtaining  a  spir- 
itual head  in  so  brief  a  time. 

The  events  of  this  pastorate  are  so  recent 

38 


The  Rev.  A.  G.  Voigt,  D.  D. 


that  most  of  the  readers  of  these  lines  can  re- 
count them  much  better  than  the  writer.  One 
of  the  most  important  acts  of  his  ministry  was 
a  wise  provision,  which  materially  increased 
the  beneficiary  contributions  of  the  church. 
It  was  decided  to  devote  all  plate  offerings  to 
the  various  missionary  and  educational  causes 
of  the  United  Synod.  The  Sunday  School 
falling  in  line  with  this  idea,  began  to  set 
apart  the  offering  for  the  first  Sunday  of 
each  month  to  Home  and  Foreign  Missions. 
Through  this  plan  the  congregation  gradually 
began  to  be  a  more  important  factor  in  the 
work  of  the  Lutheran  Church  in  the  South. 

The  present  arrangement  of  having  Ger- 
man services  on  the  second  and  fourth  Sun- 
day mornings  of  each  month  was  adopted  and 
met  with  general  approval.  During  the  Fall 
of  1901  a  Luther  League  was  organized,  which 
flourished  for  a  time,  taking  the  place  of  the 
"Young  Peoples'  Society"  of  a  former  pas- 
torate. The  fence,  which  surrounded  the 
property  of  St.  Paul's,  was  removed,  a  fine 
granite  coping,  costing  almost  $1,000,  was 
put  into  place  by  the  Dorcas  Society,  and  the 
church's  indebtedness  was  reduced  until  less 
than  $1,000  remained.  The  congregation  en- 
tered upon  a  period  of  peace  and  harmony, 
factions  having  disappeared  and  the  various 
organizations  and  the  congregation  as  a  whole 
doing  effective  work.    During  this  pastorate 


40 


Mr.  F.  A.  Bissinger  was  elected  superintend- 
ent of  the  Sunday  School  to  fill  the  vacancy- 
caused  by  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Haar. 

Pastor  Voigt's  pastorate,  like  Pastor  Boldt's, 
was  brief.  In  July,  1903,  he  was  elected  Dean 
of  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  United 
Synod  at  Mount  Pleasant,  S.  C,  a  position 
for  which  his  pre-eminent  gifts  as  a  theolo- 
gian fitted  him  in  superlative  degree.  His  res- 
ignation went  into  effect  September  30th, 
1903.  During  his  pastorate  of  five  years  and 
four  months  the  church  had  grown  in  breadth 
of  vision.  It  had  increased  in  liberality  to  the 
causes  of  the  church  at  large  and  had  begun 
to  feel  its  responsibility  in  the  work  of  the 
United  Synod.  Under  Pastor  Voigt's  instruc- 
tive preaching  it  had  begun  to  think  more  of 
the  great  mission  problems  and  the  work  of 
the  Lutheran  Church  in  the  world. 

THE  SIXTH  PASTORATE. 

The  present  pastor,  the  Rev  W.  A.  Snyder, 
was  twice  called  by  the  congreation.  Believ- 
ing that  the  Lord  wished  him  to  come  to  Wil- 
mington, after  he  had  received  the  second  call, 
he  resigned  the  congregation  he  had  organized 
in  West  Reading,  Pa.,  and  came  to  St.  Paul's, 
assuming  charge  of  the  congregation  March 
1st,  1904.  On  the  13th  of  the  same  month  he 
was  installed  by  the  Revs.  G.  D.  Bernheim, 
D  D  ,  and  C.  W.  Kegley. 

It  is  his  pleasure  to  state  that  during  the 

41 


The  Rev.  W.  A.  Snyder. 


four  years  of  his  pastorate  the  congregation 
has  shown  itself  active  in  every  department 
of  its  work.  In  1905  the  Sunday  School  was 
graded  and  in  the  following  year  a  pleasant 
primary  room  was  furnished.  The  whole  in- 
terior of  the  rooms  it  occupied  have  been  car- 
peted and  frescoed.  The  ladies'  societies  and 
the  Luther  League  have  also  fitted  up  hand- 
some meeting  rooms.  The  need  of  the  school 
to-day  is  a  larger  auditorium.  In  1906  Mr. 
Bissinger  resigned  the  superintendency  of  the 
school  and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  H.  F.  Otten. 
The  school  is  in  a  most  prosperous  condition, 
having  reached  a  high  water  mark  in  at- 
tendance and  possessing  an  able  corps  of 
officers  and  teachers,  who  have  been  in- 
structed in  normal  classes  for  the  past  two 
years.  The  various  societies  are  increasing  in 
size  and  efficiency.  The  pastor  has  instructed 
Saturday  morning  classes  for  the  younger 
children  of  the  church,  which  have  proved 
very  fruitful.  The  Luther  League  of  this  pas- 
torate was  organized  by  the  catechetical  class 
of  1905  and  since  the  time  of  its  organization 
has  had  a  rapid  growth.  During  the  past  four 
years  125  adult  members  have  been  added  to 
the  church,  74  of  that  number  being  by  con- 
firmation. The  present  membership  of  St. 
Paul's  is  410  members  in  good  standing.  The 
pastor,  like  the  former  pastors,  has  had  the 
aid  and  support  of  very  efficient  church  coun- 

43 


cils.  Indeed,  every  council  in  the  history  of 
St.  Paul's  has  been  a  credit  to  the  congrega- 
tion and,  although  space  forbids  the  mention 
of  the  names  of  the  men  who  have  served  us 
in  office,  let  them  be  assured  that  their  labors 
have  not  been  in  vain.  The  present  Elders, 
Messrs.  L.  Hanson  and  W.  Niestlie,  have 
served  in  their  office  side  by  side  for  sixteen 
years.  During  the  first  year  of  this  pastorate 
the  congregation  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
the  second  pastor  emerging  from  its  ranks, 
the  Rev.  H.  W.  A.  Hanson,  who  is  laboring  in 
the  office  of  the  ministry  most  successfully  in 
Alleghany,  Pa. 

THE  GREATER  ST.  PAUL'S. 
In  the  congregational  meeting  of  1906  the 
pastor,  referring  to  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of 
St.  Paul's,  urged  the  congregation  to  com- 
memorate the  event  by  a  suitable  memorial. 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  consider  the 
matter,  and  this  committee  decided  to  recom- 
mend the  enlargement  and  embellishment  of 
the  church  building.  Subscriptions  were  taken 
and  so  well  did  the  committee  succeed  in  gath- 
ering funds  that  at  the  next  congregational 
meeting  the  whole  plan  was  in  tangible  form 
and  was  adopted  by  the  congregation.  We 
need  not  dweel  upon  the  plan,  as  it  is  before 
our  eyes  in  concrete  form.  The  committee 
was  now  appointed  a  "building  committee" 
by  the  congregation. 

44 


THE  BUILDING  COMMITTEE. 


The  Pastor. 


Mr.  L.  Hanson  .. 


 President 

Secretary-Treasurer 

 Architect 

Mr.  C.  W.  Polvog-t 


Mr.  H.  L.  Vollers 
Mr.  H.  E.  Bonitz 


Mr.  J.  G.  L.  Gieschen 
Mr.  M.  G.  Tiencken, 


Mr.  J.  H.  Rehder. 


In  imitation  of  the  first  building  commit- 
tee these  men  displayed  untiring  energy  and 
zeal  Every  one  of  its  members  engaged  most 
earnestly  in  the  work.  Between  18,000  and 
19,000  was  raised  in  money  and  memorial 
gifts,  the  entire  building  operations  costing 
over  $12,000.  The  congregation  as  a  whole 
displayed  the  utmost  liberality  and  interest  in 
the  work,  and,  to  its  credit  be  it  said,  that 
during  the  year,  when  the  building  operations 
demanded  large  gifts,  the  contributions  for 
beneficence  exceeded  those  of  any  previous 
year  in  its  history.  On  September  15th,  1907, 
the  corner-stone  was  relaid  with  appropriate 
ceremony,  the  pastor  and  the  Rev.  C.  W. 
Kegley  delivering  addresses.  So  rapidly  was 
the  work  pushed  forward  that  on  Septua- 
gesima  Sunday  (February  16th,  1908),  the 
congregation  was  able  to  occupy  the  enlarged 
church.  During  the  period  of  construction 
services  were  held  in  Luther  Memorial  Build- 
ing. The  work  of  Mr.  H.  E.  Bonitz,  our  archi- 
tect, whose  interest  in  the  work  of  his  church 
did  so  much  to  produce  our  building,  and  that 


4(5 


of  Mr.  J.  Schad,  the  contractor,  are  more  than 
worthy  of  honorable  mention. 

Every  one  of  the  societies  contributed  some- 
thing to  the  interior.  The  Christian  Associa- 
tion furnished  the  electric  lighting  system, 
the  Dorcas  Society  the  additional  pews,  the 
Mengert  Circle  the  opalescent  organ  chamber 
window  and  the  Luther  League  the  brass  rail- 
ing. Memorials  were  placed  as  follows  :  The 
altar  an^cliancel  pannelling  by  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

G.  H.  Heyer  in  memory  of  Mrs.  Heyer's 
parents,  Mr  and  Mrs.  F.  VV  Heyer;  Geth- 
samene  window  in  the  chancel,  Mrs.  H. 
L.  Vollers  in  memory  of  her  parents,  Eliza- 
beth and  Luhr  Vollers  (the  silver  offering 
plates  and  the  brass  cross  having  been  given 
by  Mrs.  E.  Vollers  in  memory  of  Luhr  Vol- 
lers in  a  former  pastorate) ;  Good  Shepherd 
window  in  memory  of  deceased  children  by  C. 
W.  Polvogt,  Mrs.  A.  M.  Schulken,  Miss  H. 
Schulken,  C.  H.  Stemmermann,  Mrs.  H.  Vol- 
lers, H.  F.  Otten,  J.  F.  Rulfs,  Sr.,  Mrs.  H. 
Rehder,  F.  W.  Ortmann,  E.  Schulken,  Dr.  J. 

H.  Dreher,  Dr.  W.  Niestlie,  J.  Hintze,  H.  T. 
Duls,  Mrs.  M.  G.  Tiencken,  Mrs.  D.  Branch 
and  a  number  of  others  contributing  in  a  gen- 
eral offering;  brass  pulpit  Bible  rest  by  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  M.  Rathjen,  in  memory  of  their  son, 
Martin  Rathjen,  Jr.  The  brass  altar  desk  was 
the  gift  of  Mrs.  J.  T.  Runge;  the  pulpit  edi- 
tion of  the  Book  of  Worship  on  it,  the  gift  of 

48 


Dr.  W.  Niestlie,  and  the  curtains  for  the  choir 
railing,  the  gift  of  Mr.  J.  H.  W.  Bonitz  and 
family.  On  the  eve  of  the  first  service  a  brass 
lectern  was  placed  into  position  by  those  who 
wished  to  surprise  their  pastor. 

We  have  now  arrived  at  the  end  of  our 
sketch.  There  are  many  names  of  faithful 
members  of  St.  Paul's  which  do  not  appear  in 
these  pages,  but  who,  although  not  placed  on 
the  committees  named  herein,  yet  have  done 
noble  service  for  their  dear  church.  St.  Paul's, 
with  all  that  the  name  implies,  stands  before 
us  complete.  In  celebrating  the  golden  jubilee, 
the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  its  organization,  let 
us  be  devoutly  thankful  to  the  Triune  God  for 
the  past  and  the  present.  All  things  are  ours. 
Let  us  appreciate  what  we  possess,  remember- 
ing the  labors  and  the  struggles  of  the  many 
members  of  the  past,  who  have  left  us  the  St. 
Paul's  of  the  present  as  a  glorious  heritage. 


49 


CHURCH  DIRECTORY. 


THE  CHURCH  COUNCIL. 


ELDERS : 

Pastor  W.  A.  Snydei,  President;  Mr.  L.  Hanson,  Vice-President; 
Dr.  W.  Niestlie. 

DEACONS: 

Dr.  J.  H.  Dreher,  M.  Schnibben,  G.  H.  Haar.  C.  P.  B.  Mahler. 

*  TRUSTEES: 

M.  G.  Tiencken,  H.  L.  Vollers,  Secretary;  J.  W.  Duls,  Treasurer 
C  W.  Polvogt,  J.  W.  H.  Fuchs. 

Organist,  Mrs.  E.  Schulken. 

USHERS: 

C.  H.  Bomemann,  C.  Fick,  L.  Wessell,  F.  Hutaff,  R.  Gieschen,  W. 
Mahler,  M.  Brunjes,  H.  Wrede. 

SUNDAY  SCHOOL: 

Superintendent,  H.  F.  Otten;  Sec-Treas.,  E.  Wright;  Organist,  Miss 
A.  Hanson;  Assistant  Organist,  Miss  F.  Wessell; 
Librarians,  J.  Hintze,  R.  Rose. 

TEACHERS: 

The  Pastor,  Miss  L.  Bappler,  Miss  E.  Ortmann,  Miss  E.  Otten,  Mrs. 
W.  A.  Snyder,  Mrs.  H.  H.  Merritt,  Miss  A.  Baker,  Mr.  J.  Haar. 
Miss  E.  Hutaff,  Mrs.  C.  B.  Rehder,  Mrs.  J.  T.  Runge,  Miss 
M.  L.  Smith,  Miss  C.  Fick,  Miss  E.   Otersen,  Mrs.  L. 
Freimuth,  Mrs.  H.  F.  Otten,  Miss  W.  Ulrich,  Miss  L. 
Banck,  Mrs.  J.  Rehder,  Mrs.  E.  Schulken.  Mrs. 
W.  S.  Clayton  and  Mrs.  W.  L.  Bissinger. 

THE  CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATION: 

President,  A.  D.  Wessell;  Vice-President,  F.  W.  Ortmann;  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  J.  D.  H.  Klander;  Trustees,  F.  W.  Ortmann, 
M.  Schnibben  and  J.  G.  Kuhlken. 

THE  DORCAS  SOCIETY: 

President,  Mrs.  W.  A.  Snyder;  Vice-President,  Mrs.  J.  H.  Dreher; 
Cor.  Sec,  Mrs  L.  Freimuth;  Rec  Sec,  Mrs.  H.  L.  Vol- 
lers; Treasurer,  Mrs.  A.  D.  Wessell. 

THE  MENGERT  CIRCLE: 

President,  Miss  E.  Hutaff;  Vice-President,  Miss  EL  Ortmann,  Rec. 
Secretary,  Mrs.  C.  Rehder;  Cor.  Secretary,  Miss  G. 
Mohr;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  J.  T.  Runge. 

THE  LUTHER  LEAGUE: 

President,  Luther  Wessell;  Cor.  Secretary,  Miss  H.  Fick;  Rec.  Secre- 
tary, Miss  L.  Banck;  Treasurer,  J.  W.  Meyland; 
Organist,  Miss  C  Gieschen. 


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